[Rarebooks] Three on Geology

[Pia Oliver]

LYELL, Charles. Principles of Geology, An Attempt to Explain the 
Former Changes of the Earth's Surface, by Reference to Causes Now in 
Operations. London: John Murray, 1830-1833. Two volumes, bound  in 
three. Illustrated with full page plates (some folding) and 
innumerable woodcuts in the text, some plates are hand coloured. 
Octavo, three-quarter green morocco over marbled boards, spine with 
raised bands and dark morocco gilt lettered labels, all edges 
sprinkled. Slight rubbing to edges, occasional slight browning to 
some pages. Volume III with cracked front endpaper, albeit a fine 
set. Volumes I and III are first editions, volume II is a second 
edition. Bound without half titles to volumes II and III (none issued 
for volume II). Volume II bound without 2 pp publisher's book list at 
end.
Sir Charles Lyell was born in Scotland on November 14, 1797 and died 
in London on February 22, 1875. He attended Oxford University at age 
19. He was knighted for scientific accomplishment in 1848. He later 
became a Baron in 1864. He grew up the oldest of 10 children. Lyell's 
father was an active naturalist. Lyell had access to an elaborate 
library including subjects such as Geology.
When Lyell was at Oxford, his interests were mathematics, classics, 
the legal system (law) and geology. He attended a lecture by William 
Buckland that triggered his enthusiasm for geology.
Lyell originally started his career as a lawyer, but later turned to 
geology. His zoological skills aided in his extensive studies and 
observations throughout the world. He became an author of The 
Geological Evidence of the Antiquity of Man in 1863 and Principles of 
Geology (12 editions). Lyell argued in this book that, at the time, 
presently observable geological processes were adequate to explain 
geological history. He thought the action of the rain, sea, volcanoes 
and earthquakes explained the geological history of more ancient 
times.
Lyell rebelled against the prevailing theories of geology of the 
time. He thought the theories were biased, based on the 
interpretation of Genesis. He thought it would be more practical to 
exclude sudden geological catastrophes to vouch for fossil remains of 
extinct species and believed it was necessary to create a vast time 
scale for Earth's history. This concept was called Uniformitarianism. 
The second edition of Principles of Geology introduced new ideas 
regarding metamorphic rocks. It described rock changes due to high 
temperature in sedimentary rocks adjacent to igneous rocks. His third 
volume dealt with paleontology and stratigraphy. Lyell stressed that 
the antiquity of human species was far beyond the accepted theories 
of that time.
Lyell was married and his wife preceded him in death. He associated 
with many important people and went world wide when conducting his 
studies of geology. Charles Darwin became his dear friend and 
correspondent. Darwin is quoted saying, "The greatest merit of the 
Principles was that it altered the whole tone of one's mind, and 
therefore that, when seeing a thing never seen by Lyell, one yet saw 
it through his eyes".
The signature "Aug[us]t[u]s Bergh Senr" on the title page of volume 
I, and stamped on front free endpapers, is likely that of Augustus 
Bergh who wrote An Essay on the Causes of Distant Alternate Periodic 
Inundations Over the Low Lands of Each Hemisphere, suggesting the 
means whereby the earth's surface is renovated, and the continuous 
support of its creatures provided for ... London: Ridgway, [1860?]. 
[Academic American Encyclopedia, pp. 474-475. Encyclopedia Americana, 
p. 881.  Encyclopedia Britannica Incorporated, v. 7 pp. 585-586]. 
	$2,500.00

[SANTA BARBARA COUNTY]. Map of Santa Barbara County California 
Compiled and Issued by the State Mining Bureau. San Francisco: Lewis 
A. Aubury, State Mineralogist, 1906. Approximately 28-1/2 x 42 
inches, one sheet, folded. Edges a tad age toned, a few small stab 
holes in upper right margin, else fine. Lew B. Harris was the field 
assistant from Santa Barbara County. There is an inset in the map 
showing the Chanel Islands.	$135.00

WOOD, M. W., Publisher. History of Alameda County, California, 
Including its Geology, Topography, Soil, and Productions; together 
with A Full and Particular Record of the Spanish Grants; the Early 
History and Settlement, Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources; the 
Names of Original Spanish and American Pioneers; A Full Political 
history, Comprising a Tabular Statement of Officers of the County 
Since Its Formation; Separate Histories of Each of the Townships, 
Showing their Advancement and Progress.  Also Incidents of Pioneer 
Life, The Raising of the Bear Flag, and Biographical Sketches of 
Early and Prominent Citizens and Representative Men, and of it 
Cities, Towns, Churches, School, Secret Societies, Etc.. Oakland: M. 
W. Wood, 1883. Illustrated profusely, frontispiece portrait. Octavo, 
rebacked, full calf, all edges marbled, green endpapers. Covers a 
little worn at edges, endpapers browned round the edges, else fine. 
	$400.00

-- 

Randall House (member Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America 
- http://www.ABAA.org )
835 Laguna Street
Santa Barbara, California 93101

(805) 963-1909      fax (805) 963-1650
<http://www.RandallHouseRareBooks.com>

Visa, MC, AmEx, MO, cheques in US funds, institutional billing on request.

Know who your Internet bookseller is! Look for the ABAA membership logo, the
Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America - now a 50 year 
professional organization requiring its members to have a proven 
track record of knowledge and experience, and to abide by a written 
code of ethics.